Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicosIslands, December 13, 2023 – “Corruption knows no boundaries; it infiltrates our institutions, weakens our economies, and erodes justice and fairness. We cannot disregard this pervasive problem. Hence, I call upon all persons, from government officials to civil society organizations, businesses to ordinary citizens, to collaborate and partner in this fight against corruption.”
That’s the decisive call from Washington Misick, TCI Premier, as the country marked World Anti-Corruption Day on December 9th.
The Premier is also promising stronger legislation to combat the issue.
“My government is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. We will strengthen our anti-corruption laws, enhance investigative and enforcement mechanisms, and ensure that those engaged in corrupt practices face the full force of the law,” Misick swore.
Misick, like the rest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is well aware of the damage that allegations of corruption can cause to countries, citizens, and governance systems.
Following allegations of widespread government corruption in 2008, the country not only lost its legislative autonomy with a constitutional suspension but there were also allegations that citizens had been cheated out of millions of dollars in land sales. To say nothing of the international scandal caused by the arrest of top politicians at home and overseas.
Misick again stressed a message of cooperation in the attempt to build a society ‘free from the shackles of corruption.’
“We need your active participation. Report instances of corruption. Let us prioritize education and awareness, empowering our youth with knowledge about the dangers of corruption and the importance of ethical behavior.”
The Premier was joined by other leaders, including Justice Tonya Lobban Jackson, Chair of the Integrity Commission Board, and Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor, in decrying corruption during the international observance.
